EP1298069B1 - Device for use in monitoring swab technique - Google Patents
Device for use in monitoring swab technique Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1298069B1 EP1298069B1 EP02256712A EP02256712A EP1298069B1 EP 1298069 B1 EP1298069 B1 EP 1298069B1 EP 02256712 A EP02256712 A EP 02256712A EP 02256712 A EP02256712 A EP 02256712A EP 1298069 B1 EP1298069 B1 EP 1298069B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- substrate
- test material
- test
- swab
- monitoring
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Lifetime
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Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
- G01N33/52—Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper and including single- and multilayer analytical elements
- G01N33/525—Multi-layer analytical elements
Definitions
- the present invention is concerned with a device suitable for use in determining the accuracy of a swab technique.
- tests are available that can be used to assess the cleanliness of a surface. Such tests include those based on the detection of ATP using the firefly luciferase reaction, tests based on the detection of protein using colorimetry, tests based on the detection of micro-organisms using microbiological culture techniques, and tests based on detection of micro-organisms using immunochemical techniques. Surfaces can be sampled using either a swab device, or by direct contact with an agar medium.
- the above tests are useful in the detection of a contaminated surface, they are typically prone to errors. These errors may be due to the performance of the measurement apparatus (a light detection device, such as a luminometer, colour detection by human assessor, or test result interpretation by human assessor).
- a light detection device such as a luminometer, colour detection by human assessor, or test result interpretation by human assessor.
- errors may be due to variations in the assay conditions, for example being caused by assay temperature. Errors may also be due to the detection "reagents" used in the test systems, including firefly luciferase reagents for ATP, colorimetric reagents for protein detection, microbiological media for bacteriological analysis etc. For example, abused or badly stored reagents can give rise to false-positive or false-negative results.
- Errors may also arise due to differences in sampling procedure.
- "swabs” are often used for sample collection in such hygiene assays. These can give rise to variation due to the presence or absence of extraction agents and/or surface active components.
- errors can arise due to differences in operator technique during the performance of the assay itself. Although this may be due to an error on the part of the operator, it is more common that the variance in performance is a result of subtle differences in technique.
- a device adapted for use in monitoring a swab method with the device includes a first substrate substantially adjacent a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate having disposed therebetween a test material with the first and second substrates being sealed together substantially around their periphery.
- the test material includes a predetermined amount of test analyte.
- the analyte may include ATP, a protein, other chemical materials (such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) pyrophosphate (PPi), guanosine triphosphate (GTP), guanosine diphosphate (GDP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), cytidine triphosphate (CTP), cytidine diphosphate (CDP), cytidine monophosphate (CMP), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) various minerals (including Ca, Zn, Mg, Mn and Co), sugars (including lactose, glucose and maltose), lipids and fatty acids, microbial cell wall and cell membrane materials (such as peptidoglycan, techoic acid and lipopolysaccharides), enzymes (such as proteases, adeny
- test material is protected from the environment prior to use, thereby substantially reducing (or preferably substantially inhibiting) contamination of the test material by the external environment.
- the test material is typically disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate under aseptic conditions.
- the first substrate and the second substrate are sealed together substantially at their periphery so as to form a pouch or sachet, the test material being substantially contained in the pouch.
- the first substrate and the second substrate are sealed together by use of an hermetic bond, or the like.
- the bond may be formed by use of an adhesive, such as a polyurethane adhesive, alternatively, they be may joined together by use of heat sealing the first substrate and/or the second substrate or by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
- Heat sealing may include the use of heat sealing of a plastic polymer surface.
- the first substrate and the second substrate may be coextrusion laminated; the first substrate and/or the second substrate preferably being formed from materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol.
- the first substrate and the second substrate may be of metal, including aluminium (such as aluminium foil), or a plastics material.
- Each substrate may be of the same material. It is therefore envisaged that the first substrate and the second substrate are formed from the same sheet of material. In this embodiment, the sheet may be folded about a fold-line, the fold-line forming a sealed edge of the pouch. However, it is preferred that each substrate is of a different material.
- the first substrate and the second substrate have respective internal surfaces which have different wetting properties.
- the first substrate has a surface which is hydrophobic and the second substrate has a surface which is hydrophillic.
- Each substrate may be treated with, for example a polymer so as to form the hydrophillic and/or hydrophobic surface.
- each substrate may be of a hydrophillic or hydrophobic material.
- the test material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate will preferentially wet the hydrophillic surface leaving the hydrophobic surface substantially unwetted.
- This feature is particularly advantageous as, although in principle an equal volume of material should adhere to each substrate, in practice the surface is inconsistently wetted resulting in an unknown (or uneven) amount of analyte remaining on each substrate. Therefore, the use of different surfaces, one being hydrophillic and the other being hydrophobic, results in substantially all of the analyte being on the hydrophillic surface.
- the test material includes a hyrophillic surface enhancer, such as a detergent, which increases the probability of the test material wetting the hydrophillic surface as opposed to wetting the hydrophobic surface.
- a hyrophillic surface enhancer such as a detergent
- Preferred hydrophillic surface enhancers include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate.
- the device and therefore the test material
- the test material is stable prior to being used in the monitoring of, for example, swab technique. It is therefore preferred that the test material includes a stabilising agent.
- the stabilising agent may include a chelating agent when the test material includes ATP (the non-enzymic breakdown of ATP is inhibited by chelating divalent cations).
- a preferred chelating agent includes ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).
- EDTA ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid
- the test material has a low pH value (for example less than 7.0) so as to restrict base-catalysed hydrolysis of ATP.
- the test material includes ADP when ATP is present in the test material (ADP has the advantage of reducing the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP).
- the stabilising agent includes a compound which reduces water availability (for example glycerol) therefore improving protein stability.
- the stabilising agent includes a quaternary ammonium detergent or biguanide, such as a benzethonium chloride or chlorhexidine gluconate, which advantageously acts as an inhibitor of enzyme action, and as a preservative against microbiological degradation.
- a quaternary ammonium detergent or biguanide such as a benzethonium chloride or chlorhexidine gluconate, which advantageously acts as an inhibitor of enzyme action, and as a preservative against microbiological degradation.
- a particularly preferred test material for use in the present invention when the present invention is suitable for use in monitoring the swab method in an ATP assay and protein-based hygiene tests, includes a blend comprising: Glycerol 50g Chlorhexidine gluconate 2g Bovine serum albumin 0.5g ATP 0.18x10 -9 g De-ionized water 50g
- a method of manufacturing a device as described in claim 1, for use in monitoring a swab technique including providing a first substrate, applying a test material to a portion of the first substrate, covering at least the test material on the first substrate with a second substrate, and joining the second substrate to the first substrate so as to encapsulate the test material between the first substrate and the second substrate.
- the device manufactured according to this aspect of the present invention is substantially as described herein before with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.
- the device according to the first aspect of the present invention may be manufactured by methods known in the art of making sachets and/or pouches. Such methods include those disclosed in (but not limited to) US 5879769 , US 5445821 , US 4747782 , EP 1013193 and WO 9856568 .
- test material is applied to the first substrate as a (relatively) dry, localised spot, (which is particularly preferred) or as a homogeneously applied film.
- the test material has a thickness on the first substrate less than about 1mm, preferably less than about 0.3mm.
- the first substrate includes a first release portion and the second substrate includes a second release portion, each release portion being arranged about a peripheral edge of the respective substrate.
- the first release portion being preferably substantially not connected to the second release portion.
- the device is substantially as described herein before.
- test material is typically disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate under aseptic conditions.
- the amount of analyte present on the swab may be monitored by methods known in the art.
- the mode of monitoring will, of course, be dependent on the analyte contained in the test material.
- the analyte may be monitored using, for example, apparatus currently sold by Biotrace Limited under the Trade Marks CLEAN-TRACE and PROTECT. Although it is envisaged that any suitable apparatus known to a person skilled in the art could be used.
- the amount of analyte monitored on the swab is compared to the amount of analyte present in the test material.
- the comparison provides an indication of how accurate the swab technique is. For example if monitoring the amount of analyte on the swab identifies only about 50% of analyte present in the test material has been detected, the swab method may be considered as being unacceptable.
- test sachet generally indicated by the numeral 1.
- a first aluminium substrate 2 is adhered about the periphery to a second plastics substrate 3 by use of an adhesive 4.
- a portion of aluminium substrate 2 is not adhered to plastics substrate 3 so as to provide release tabs 5a and 5b.
- Test material 6 containing a predetermined amount of analyte is disposed between aluminium substrate 2 and plastics substrate 3.
- release tab 5a is pulled in the direction of arrow B and release tab 5b is pulled in the direction of arrow C, thereby separating the substrates 2 and 3 and permitting access to test material 6.
- a swab (not shown) is then wiped over surface 6.
- the amount of analyte present on the swab is then monitored using apparatus known to a person skilled in the art.
- the result obtained is then compared to the predetermined amount of analyte present on the first substrate so as to determine the accuracy of the swab technique.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Cell Biology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Biotechnology (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention is concerned with a device suitable for use in determining the accuracy of a swab technique.
- Various tests are available that can be used to assess the cleanliness of a surface. Such tests include those based on the detection of ATP using the firefly luciferase reaction, tests based on the detection of protein using colorimetry, tests based on the detection of micro-organisms using microbiological culture techniques, and tests based on detection of micro-organisms using immunochemical techniques. Surfaces can be sampled using either a swab device, or by direct contact with an agar medium.
- Although the above tests are useful in the detection of a contaminated surface, they are typically prone to errors. These errors may be due to the performance of the measurement apparatus (a light detection device, such as a luminometer, colour detection by human assessor, or test result interpretation by human assessor).
- It is also believed that errors may be due to variations in the assay conditions, for example being caused by assay temperature. Errors may also be due to the detection "reagents" used in the test systems, including firefly luciferase reagents for ATP, colorimetric reagents for protein detection, microbiological media for bacteriological analysis etc. For example, abused or badly stored reagents can give rise to false-positive or false-negative results.
- Errors may also arise due to differences in sampling procedure. For example, "swabs" are often used for sample collection in such hygiene assays. These can give rise to variation due to the presence or absence of extraction agents and/or surface active components.
- Furthermore, errors can arise due to differences in operator technique during the performance of the assay itself. Although this may be due to an error on the part of the operator, it is more common that the variance in performance is a result of subtle differences in technique.
- All of the above sources of potential error ultimately lead to a reduction in confidence in the validity of such test results. In the case of safety critical applications there are significant consequences if a set of invalid results are generated.
- There are a number of different methods for dealing with the inherent variability of surface hygiene tests. Such methods include:
- 1. Use of chemical standards (such as the use of solutions of ATP to calibrate ATP tests)(Jago, PH, Stanfield, G, Simpson, WJ & Hammond, JRM 1989. In ATP Bioluminescence: Rapid Methods in Microbiology, Society of Applied Microbiology Technical Series, Vol 26, Stanley PE et al [eds] pp 53-61). These can be applied in two ways. In the external calibration technique, the test response is compared to that obtained in the presence of known concentrations of the analyte. In the internal calibration technique, a known amount of analyte is added to the test after measurement of the sample signal. The ratio of the signal from the test sample to that of the standard can be used to calculate the amount of analyte present in the sample.
- 2. Use of a light sensitive derivative of the analyte to assure test performance. This is the basis of the PhotoQuant® technique for assay calibration (Method for calibrating chemical assays,
PCT/GB95/00794 - 3. Use of low level light emitting devices to assure the performance of instrumentation, or use of coloured cards to act as an aid to the judgement (by eye) of colorimetric tests etc. For example, radioactive material employing a scintillant are employed in the Biolink light standards (Leaback, DH, Easy-to-use light standards as aids to luminometry, Szalay, AA et al [Eds], pp 33-37, Bioluminescence of the VII International Symposium on Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence, John Wiley & Son, Chichester 1993).
- Whilst these methods are useful in some circumstances, there are a number of limitations. All of the approaches identified above are limited by the fact that they do not respond to differences in operator swab technique. Faulty sampling techniques (which may include failure to swab the required area, or failure to apply sufficient pressure during the swabbing process) can lead to low results (or even negative results).
- It is therefore an aim of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the disadvantages highlighted above.
- It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a standard surface for use in the monitoring of swab technique in an analytical method.
- It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of monitoring swab technique.
- Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device according to claim 1. The device is adapted for use in monitoring a swab method with the device includes a first substrate substantially adjacent a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate having disposed therebetween a test material with the first and second substrates being sealed together substantially around their periphery.
- Advantageously, the test material includes a predetermined amount of test analyte. The analyte may include ATP, a protein, other chemical materials (such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) pyrophosphate (PPi), guanosine triphosphate (GTP), guanosine diphosphate (GDP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), cytidine triphosphate (CTP), cytidine diphosphate (CDP), cytidine monophosphate (CMP), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) various minerals (including Ca, Zn, Mg, Mn and Co), sugars (including lactose, glucose and maltose), lipids and fatty acids, microbial cell wall and cell membrane materials (such as peptidoglycan, techoic acid and lipopolysaccharides), enzymes (such as proteases, adenylate kinase, invertase, melibiase, and alkaline phosphatase) and/or a microorganism.
- Advantageously, the test material is protected from the environment prior to use, thereby substantially reducing (or preferably substantially inhibiting) contamination of the test material by the external environment. The test material is typically disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate under aseptic conditions.
- The first substrate and the second substrate are sealed together substantially at their periphery so as to form a pouch or sachet, the test material being substantially contained in the pouch. The first substrate and the second substrate are sealed together by use of an hermetic bond, or the like. The bond may be formed by use of an adhesive, such as a polyurethane adhesive, alternatively, they be may joined together by use of heat sealing the first substrate and/or the second substrate or by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Heat sealing may include the use of heat sealing of a plastic polymer surface. It is also envisaged that the first substrate and the second substrate may be coextrusion laminated; the first substrate and/or the second substrate preferably being formed from materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol.
- The first substrate and the second substrate may be of metal, including aluminium (such as aluminium foil), or a plastics material.
- Each substrate may be of the same material. It is therefore envisaged that the first substrate and the second substrate are formed from the same sheet of material. In this embodiment, the sheet may be folded about a fold-line, the fold-line forming a sealed edge of the pouch. However, it is preferred that each substrate is of a different material.
- The first substrate and the second substrate have respective internal surfaces which have different wetting properties.
- The first substrate has a surface which is hydrophobic and the second substrate has a surface which is hydrophillic. Each substrate may be treated with, for example a polymer so as to form the hydrophillic and/or hydrophobic surface. However, it is also envisaged that each substrate may be of a hydrophillic or hydrophobic material. Advantageously, the test material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate will preferentially wet the hydrophillic surface leaving the hydrophobic surface substantially unwetted.
- This feature is particularly advantageous as, although in principle an equal volume of material should adhere to each substrate, in practice the surface is inconsistently wetted resulting in an unknown (or uneven) amount of analyte remaining on each substrate. Therefore, the use of different surfaces, one being hydrophillic and the other being hydrophobic, results in substantially all of the analyte being on the hydrophillic surface.
- In this particular embodiment, it is preferred that the test material includes a hyrophillic surface enhancer, such as a detergent, which increases the probability of the test material wetting the hydrophillic surface as opposed to wetting the hydrophobic surface. Preferred hydrophillic surface enhancers include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate.
- It is further desirable that the device (and therefore the test material) is stable prior to being used in the monitoring of, for example, swab technique. It is therefore preferred that the test material includes a stabilising agent.
- The stabilising agent may include a chelating agent when the test material includes ATP (the non-enzymic breakdown of ATP is inhibited by chelating divalent cations). A preferred chelating agent includes ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). In this particular embodiment, it is preferred that the test material has a low pH value (for example less than 7.0) so as to restrict base-catalysed hydrolysis of ATP. In addition, it is preferred that the test material includes ADP when ATP is present in the test material (ADP has the advantage of reducing the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP).
- It is preferred that when the test material includes a protein, the stabilising agent includes a compound which reduces water availability (for example glycerol) therefore improving protein stability.
- Preferably, when the test material includes a microorganism the stabilising agent includes a quaternary ammonium detergent or biguanide, such as a benzethonium chloride or chlorhexidine gluconate, which advantageously acts as an inhibitor of enzyme action, and as a preservative against microbiological degradation.
- A particularly preferred test material for use in the present invention, when the present invention is suitable for use in monitoring the swab method in an ATP assay and protein-based hygiene tests, includes a blend comprising:
Glycerol 50g Chlorhexidine gluconate 2g Bovine serum albumin 0.5g ATP 0.18x10-9g De-ionized water 50g - According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a device as described in claim 1, for use in monitoring a swab technique, the method including providing a first substrate, applying a test material to a portion of the first substrate, covering at least the test material on the first substrate with a second substrate, and joining the second substrate to the first substrate so as to encapsulate the test material between the first substrate and the second substrate.
- The device manufactured according to this aspect of the present invention is substantially as described herein before with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.
- It is, however, envisaged that the device according to the first aspect of the present invention may be manufactured by methods known in the art of making sachets and/or pouches. Such methods include those disclosed in (but not limited to)
US 5879769 ,US 5445821 ,US 4747782 ,EP 1013193 andWO 9856568 - It is preferred that the test material is applied to the first substrate as a (relatively) dry, localised spot, (which is particularly preferred) or as a homogeneously applied film.
- Typically, the test material has a thickness on the first substrate less than about 1mm, preferably less than about 0.3mm.
- It is preferred that the first substrate includes a first release portion and the second substrate includes a second release portion, each release portion being arranged about a peripheral edge of the respective substrate. The first release portion being preferably substantially not connected to the second release portion.
- According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a swab technique using a device according to claim 1. Basically the method includes:
- a) providing a device according to claim 1 comprising a first substrate substantially adjacent a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate having disposed therebetween a test material including a predetermined amount of an analyte;
- b) peeling the first substrate and second substrate away from each other, at least particularly along their periphery, where sealed together to reveal the test material;
- c) swabbing the test material with a swab; and
monitoring the amount of analyte present on the swab. - The device is substantially as described herein before.
- The test material is typically disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate under aseptic conditions.
- The amount of analyte present on the swab may be monitored by methods known in the art. The mode of monitoring will, of course, be dependent on the analyte contained in the test material. The analyte may be monitored using, for example, apparatus currently sold by Biotrace Limited under the Trade Marks CLEAN-TRACE and PROTECT. Although it is envisaged that any suitable apparatus known to a person skilled in the art could be used.
- The amount of analyte monitored on the swab is compared to the amount of analyte present in the test material. The comparison provides an indication of how accurate the swab technique is. For example if monitoring the amount of analyte on the swab identifies only about 50% of analyte present in the test material has been detected, the swab method may be considered as being unacceptable.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, which are given by way of example only, wherein:
-
FIGURE 1 represents a plan view of a device according to the present invention; and -
FIGURE 2 represents a cross-sectional view along the line A-A ofFigure 1 . - Referring to the figures, where like numerals have been used to represent like parts, there is provided a test sachet generally indicated by the numeral 1. A
first aluminium substrate 2 is adhered about the periphery to asecond plastics substrate 3 by use of an adhesive 4. A portion ofaluminium substrate 2 is not adhered toplastics substrate 3 so as to providerelease tabs Test material 6 containing a predetermined amount of analyte is disposed betweenaluminium substrate 2 andplastics substrate 3. - In use,
release tab 5a is pulled in the direction of arrow B andrelease tab 5b is pulled in the direction of arrow C, thereby separating thesubstrates material 6. - A swab (not shown) is then wiped over
surface 6. The amount of analyte present on the swab is then monitored using apparatus known to a person skilled in the art. The result obtained is then compared to the predetermined amount of analyte present on the first substrate so as to determine the accuracy of the swab technique.
Claims (21)
- A device adapted for use in monitoring a swab method, the device including a first substrate substantially adjacent a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate having disposed therebetween a test material, characterized in that the first substrate and the second substrate are sealed together by use of an hermetic bond substantially at their periphery, so as to form a pouch or sachet, the test material being substantially contained in the pouch and the first and second substrates in use are separable to allow access to the test material when the test is to be carried out, and wherein the first substrate and the second substrate have respective internal surfaces which have different wetting properties, the first substrate having a surface which is hydrophobic and the second substrate having a surface which is hydrophilic.
- A device according to claim 1, wherein the test material includes a predetermined amount of test analyte.
- A device according to claim 2, wherein the test analyte includes any one or more of ATP, a protein, other chemical materials (such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), pyrophosphate (PPi), guanosine triphosphate (GTP), guanosine diphosphate (GDP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), cytidine triphosphate (CTP), cytidine diphosphate (CDP), cytidine monophosphate (CMP), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), various minerals (including Ca, Zn, Mg, Mn and Co), sugars (including lactose, glucose and maltose), lipids and fatty acids, microbial cell wall and cell membrane materials (such as peptidoglycan, techoic acid and lipopolysaccharides), enzymes (such as proteases, adenylate kinase, invertase, melibiase, and alkaline phosphatase) and/or a microorganism.
- A device according to any preceding claim, wherein test material is protected from the environment prior to use, thereby substantially reducing (or preferably substantially inhibiting) contamination of the test material by the external environment.
- A device according to claim 1, wherein the bond is formed by use of an adhesive (such as a polyurethane adhesive), or by means of heat sealing the first substrate and/or the second substrate to form a hermetic bond, or by use of a pressure sensitive adhesive.
- A device according to any preceding claim wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are coextrusion laminated.
- A device according to claim 6, wherein the first substrate and/or the second substrate are formed from ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol.
- A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are manufactured from a metal, including aluminium (such as aluminium foil), or a plastics material.
- A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are formed from the same sheet of material, preferably the sheet may be folded about a fold-line, the fold-line forming a sealed edge of the pouch.
- A device according to claim 1, wherein the test material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate will preferentially wet the hydrophilic surface leaving the hydrophobic surface substantially unwetted.
- A device according to claim 10, wherein the test material includes a hydrophilic surface enhancer, such as a detergent, which increases the probability of the test material wetting the hydrophilic surface as opposed to wetting the hydrophobic surface, preferably the hydrophilic surface enhancers include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate.
- A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the test material includes a stabilising agent, such as a chelating agent when the test material includes ATP.
- A device according to claim 12, wherein the stabilising agent includes a compound which reduces water availability (for example glycerol) therefore improving protein stability when the test material includes a protein.
- A device according to claim 12, wherein the stabilising agent includes a quaternary ammonium detergent or biguanide, such as a benzethonium chloride or chlorhexidine gluconate when the test material includes a micro-organism
- A device according to any preceding claim, suitable for use in monitoring the Swab method in an ATP assay and protein-based hygiene test, wherein the test material includes a blend comprising:
Glycerol 50 g Chlorhexidine gluconate 2 g Bovine serum albumin 0.5 g ATP 0.18 x 10-9g De-ionized water 50 g - A device according to claim 15, wherein the test material has a thickness on the first substrate less than about 1 mm, preferably less than about 0.3 mm.
- A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first substrate includes a first release portion and the second substrate includes a second release portion, each release portion being arranged about a peripheral edge of the respective substrate, preferably the first release portion being substantially not connected to the second release portion.
- A method of manufacturing a device, adapted for monitoring a swab technique according to claim 1, the method including providing a first substrate, applying a test material to a portion of the first substrate, covering at least the test material on the first substrate with a second substrate, and joining the second substrate to the first substrate substantially at their periphery so as to encapsulate the test material between the first substrate and the second substrate.
- A method according to claim 18, wherein the test material is applied to the first substrate as a dry, localised spot, or as a homogeneously applied film.
- A method of monitoring a swab technique, which method includes:(a) providing a device according to claim 1, comprising a first substrate substantially adjacent a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate having disposed there between a test material including a predetermined amount of an analyte;(b) peeling the first substrate and second substrate away from each other, at least particularly along their periphery, where sealed together to reveal the test material;(c) swabbing the test material with a swab; and monitoring the amount of analyte present on the swab.
- A method according to claim 20, wherein the test material is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate under aseptic conditions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0123151 | 2001-09-26 | ||
GBGB0123151.3A GB0123151D0 (en) | 2001-09-26 | 2001-09-26 | Device for use in monitoring swab technique |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1298069A2 EP1298069A2 (en) | 2003-04-02 |
EP1298069A3 EP1298069A3 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
EP1298069B1 true EP1298069B1 (en) | 2009-05-06 |
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EP02256712A Expired - Lifetime EP1298069B1 (en) | 2001-09-26 | 2002-09-26 | Device for use in monitoring swab technique |
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EP (1) | EP1298069B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE430705T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60232217D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0123151D0 (en) |
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US7569558B2 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2009-08-04 | Bioderm Research | Topical delivery of trace metals for skin care |
GB0808557D0 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2008-06-18 | 3M Innovative Properties Co | Sampling devices and methods of use |
Family Cites Families (15)
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---|---|---|---|---|
IL75464A (en) * | 1984-06-12 | 1990-08-31 | Orgenics Ltd | Method and apparatus for multi-analyte assay |
US4747782A (en) | 1986-11-13 | 1988-05-31 | Arcade Inc. | Cosmetic sampler |
US4963325A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1990-10-16 | Hygeia Sciences, Inc. | Swab expressor immunoassay device |
US5445821A (en) | 1992-01-15 | 1995-08-29 | Arcade, Inc. | Fragrance sampler and applicator with simulated container and removable cap |
US5268146A (en) * | 1992-03-25 | 1993-12-07 | Litmus Concepts, Inc. | Fast response test panel |
US5773234A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1998-06-30 | Quidel Corporation | Method and device for chlamydia detection |
US5948687A (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 1999-09-07 | Cleator; Iain G.M. | Device and method for screening fecal occult blood specimens |
US5879769A (en) | 1996-09-12 | 1999-03-09 | Arcade, Inc. | Sampler device having a reinforced compartment and method of packaging sample material |
WO1998048280A1 (en) * | 1997-04-24 | 1998-10-29 | Selfcare, Inc. | Device for detection of a substance in a liquid sample |
US5939252A (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 1999-08-17 | Lennon; Donald J. | Detachable-element assay device |
US6326069B1 (en) | 1997-06-13 | 2001-12-04 | Arcade, Inc. | Fluid sampler pouch with internal supportive structure |
US6087184A (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 2000-07-11 | Beckman Coulter, Inc. | Opposable-element chromatographic assay device for detection of analytes |
US6033627A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 2000-03-07 | Smithkline Diagnostics, Inc. | Bevel closure assay device housing |
AU745634B2 (en) * | 1997-12-24 | 2002-03-28 | Baxter International Inc. | Perimeter seals and encapsulated seam for multilayer materials |
US6287652B2 (en) | 1998-12-09 | 2001-09-11 | Color Prelude, Inc. | Fluid product sampler package with clear moisture vapor barrier film |
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2001
- 2001-09-26 GB GBGB0123151.3A patent/GB0123151D0/en not_active Ceased
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2002
- 2002-09-26 AT AT02256712T patent/ATE430705T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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- 2002-09-26 DE DE60232217T patent/DE60232217D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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GB0123151D0 (en) | 2001-11-21 |
ATE430705T1 (en) | 2009-05-15 |
EP1298069A2 (en) | 2003-04-02 |
DE60232217D1 (en) | 2009-06-18 |
EP1298069A3 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
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